BYD in NZ

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SomePostman

139 posts

Master Geek

#298527 24-Jun-2022 14:20

So BYD (Build Your Dreams) have announced their initial dealer network and pricing for the first EV they're bringing to NZ- the midsize SUV Atto 3. They plan to bring the smaller EA1/dolphin/Atto 2 to NZ for preorders in December... And this might be a $40k electric car with surprisingly good specs for the price.

I thought I'd kick this off for discussion. I've preordered the extended range and they said delivery in late August or early September.

Anyone else pre-ordered? Waiting for other models? Waiting for reviews and better understanding of reliability? Not interested at all? Excited about the brand?

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2121 posts

Uber Geek

#2933926 24-Jun-2022 14:27

I think the likes of BYD could very well be a big threat for Japanese companies like Toyota and Mazda. Both of those legacy companies are dragging their feet with switching to EVs, meanwhile you have these Chinese EV companies like BYD bringing out what look like decent vehicles at a very appealing price point.

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Dingbatt

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#2933928 24-Jun-2022 14:32

So many questions;

How does the preorder work?

Is it a deposit (non/refundable), order fee, etc?

Do they have demonstrators available in NZ? Have you test driven one?

Any word on the Atto 4 (Seal)?

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

SomePostman

139 posts

Master Geek

#2933931 24-Jun-2022 14:35

Obraik:
I think the likes of BYD could very well be a big threat for Japanese companies like Toyota and Mazda. Both of those legacy companies are dragging their feet with switching to EVs, meanwhile you have these Chinese EV companies like BYD bringing out what look like decent vehicles at a very appealing price point.

At least Toyota have a very solid hybrid lineup and there's a lot of people not ready with jumping full EV and think hybrid is the best of both worlds. But I really do like Mazda (post their boring/plain phase they left during the late 90s, early 2000s) but they really do seem left behind. The MX-30 was really disappointing. I'm not sure Honda are any better positioned? There's going to be a lot of deaths and births in the car industry in the next 10 years I'd guess

SomePostman

139 posts

Master Geek

#2933940 24-Jun-2022 14:47

Dingbatt:
So many questions;

How does the preorder work?

Is it a deposit (non/refundable), order fee, etc?

Do they have demonstrators available in NZ? Have you test driven one?

Any word on the Atto 4 (Seal)?

Look up their dealer network, talk to them. Refundable deposits seemed to vary from $500 to $2000 but they clearly stated that if you test drive it and it's not what you expected, it's refundable. It is a deposit and goes towards the purchase price

Demonstration models are "on the boat" and expected late July, but expect that people who have preordered will get first chance.

I have not driven one, only watched and read a ton. People say it's "comfort oriented and not meant for spirited driving"

Seal/Atto 4 has been discussed a lot and they're really keen to bring it here, but no ETA. I think that's because the Chinese preorder numbers are sky high and it'll take them a while to get a RHD line and capacity. People ask a lot about the Tang 7 seat big SUV and a ute too, but no official word on them. The plan is 2023 they will introduce new models but as of now the only certainty is Atto 3 then Dolphin/Atto 2

There was a hour long Q&A with the brand manager last night you can watch here if you're particularly info hungry or bored 😂

https://youtu.be/H4Ctm0B0sog

Batman

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#2933941 24-Jun-2022 14:48

Honda haven't even started, they just signed a partnership with Sony the other day

Too busy building Formula 1 engines and setting Nurburgring lap records

Dingbatt

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#2933946 24-Jun-2022 14:53

So a very similar pre-order deal to the one Polestar had. They can be reasonably confident the next person on the wait list will take the vehicle if you don’t.

The first thing I would be doing is getting the “Build Your Dreams” lettering removed from the boot. I don’t mind the BYD logo though.

I think it’s brilliant another EV company is coming here.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

PolicyGuy

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#2933948 24-Jun-2022 14:58

Batman:

Honda haven't even started, they just signed a partnership with Sony the other day

Too busy building Formula 1 engines and setting Nurburgring lap records

Honda dropped out of making F1 engines at the end of 2021.

But I agree with you, they - like the other major Japanese car manufacturers - seem to be way behind on electrifying their product line. They have some Hybrids and fewer Plug-in Hybrids, but the shift to BEVs seems to have been a complete surprise to them, both strategically and tactically. That in itself is surprising, the Japanese manufacturers used to be seen as world-leading.

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shk292

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#2933950 24-Jun-2022 15:01

The Atto3 looks really good. Been looking at the MG ZS for OH, but I think BYD is a better package. Have registered interest and will make a decision after a test drive

robjg63

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#2933952 24-Jun-2022 15:04

The Japanese companies (particularly) have dragged their feet so badly they have really backed themselves into a corner. The only way I see them surviving is badge engineering Chinese products (which is already happening - I see that BYD are to build some 'Toyota' EVs and Honda had a plan for a Chinese built model).

The Japanese companies have evolved into exactly the dinosaur/slow moving companies that they clobbered so well during the 70s and 80s.

Personally, I don't see hybrid as 'the best of both worlds' - They still have the 'overhead' of an internal combustion engine (ICE) and all the maintenance/costs that this still incurs - offset by electrical assistance. I can see that some people might see that the engine is insurance against a failed battery pack after a few years and sure, they might be cheaper (for now), but battery costs are dropping pretty quickly and the reliability seems to be improving.

The BYD blade battery technology seems extremely robust and resilient if reports are to be believed and I gather Tesla (and others) are buying blade batteries as well. Assuming the rest of the vehicle is well built (and it appears to be), I think these will be big sellers.

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Dingbatt

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#2933959 24-Jun-2022 16:03

320 (50kWh) and 420 (60kWh) km WLTP range estimates so probably 290 and 380km real world. The same size battery (60kWh) in the Model 3 and Y get 480 and 455km respectively (WLTP), real world more like 430 and 410.

So there’s still a little way to go on efficiency. But there is a $20K price difference. As a urban family run around the Atto 3 will probably hit the spot for a lot of people.

“We’ve arranged a society based on science and technology, in which nobody understands anything about science technology. Carl Sagan 1996

dklong

167 posts

Master Geek

#2934617 26-Jun-2022 14:32

As someone who has driven large sedans for 30+ years (Falcons, Jags, Commodores) I really like the look of the BYD Han. Around 370kw and 680Nm of torque with AWD should make it a bit of fun to drive and the limited videos I have seen suggest it handles OK for an over 2 tonne vehicle! I haven't seen much talk about it locally although it does appear they will get it in Aus. I am certainly interested to see if they start bringing that in.

I'm really not into SUVs or small hatchbacks so choices have been limited in the EV space.

It certainly feels as though the Korean and Chinese manufacturers are picking EVs as their chance to jump ahead of the traditional manufacturers in a space that is new for everyone. Why try and catch up in the traditional space when there is a whole new market opening up? It has also allowed manufacturers such as Kia/Hyundai to sell cars at a price point that they could never compete in previously.

Certainly going to be fascinating to watch over the next few years.

We had been looking at the MG ZS EV for my wife's next car as she 'is' into small SUV/crossovers. The BYD Atto 3 is certainly one we will have a good look at when they turn up in showrooms! :-)

WyleECoyoteNZ

1048 posts

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#2934623 26-Jun-2022 15:16

Johnston Ebbett in Wellington will be one of the dealers. Had the email from them about it during the week.

Assuming the BYD will be in the same showroom as Kia, interesting.

dklong

167 posts

Master Geek

#2934625 26-Jun-2022 15:34

In the link above to the discussion with the brand manager it suggested that there will be new showrooms in most cases, but all the dealers they mentioned that I recognised seem to also be Kia dealers.

I was a bit disappointed to see that Andrew Simms had been appointed in Auckland as I have had very poor experiences with them recently. Ebbett in Pukekohe were much better so hopefully Wellington buyers will also have a good experience! :-)

SomePostman

139 posts

Master Geek

#2934632 26-Jun-2022 16:26

dklong:
In the link above to the discussion with the brand manager it suggested that there will be new showrooms in most cases, but all the dealers they mentioned that I recognised seem to also be Kia dealers.

I was a bit disappointed to see that Andrew Simms had been appointed in Auckland as I have had very poor experiences with them recently. Ebbett in Pukekohe were much better so hopefully Wellington buyers will also have a good experience! :-)

In Christchurch it's Euromarque; they sell European brands like fiat, Maserati,Porsche and Alfa Romeo. They're website tagline is even "life is short, drive European"... So not really sure how BYD fits the rest of their brand 😂 MG can at least pretend to be associated but they're next door instead. But in saying that the dealer has been really good good I've talked to there, they seem like a good business. I was just nervous they were going to try and change me "European'" prices for servicing the car, but I believe that's set by the brand and consistent over the country.

Batman

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#2934637 26-Jun-2022 16:35

PolicyGuy:

Honda dropped out of making F1 engines at the end of 2021.

not really but not really

https://the-race.com/formula-1/how-changed-red-bull-honda-f1-deal-will-work-from-2022/

also i'm waiting waiting for the lap record, they've been trying hard, still trying or what

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